Páginas no tópico:   [1 2] >
Poll: A study reported that the average person speaks 16,000 words a day; in your opinion, you are:
Tópico cartaz: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
EQUIPE DO SITE
Jan 19, 2013

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "A study reported that the average person speaks 16,000 words a day; in your opinion, you are:".

View the poll results »



 
Filipa Plant dos Santos
Filipa Plant dos Santos  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 16:40
português para inglês
WAY below average Jan 19, 2013

though I sometimes speak the words I'm typing as I translate. Does that count?

 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japão
Local time: 00:40
Membro (2011)
japonês para inglês
Translators vs Interpreters Jan 19, 2013

There is obviously going to be a huge disparity between these two linguist groups unless you use voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking for translation input.

I "speak" with my written words though I don't actually vociferate them. However, I probably am "Above average" when it comes to expletives when I #%"! up a sentence I am translating.

Anyway, I answered "I have no idea" s
... See more
There is obviously going to be a huge disparity between these two linguist groups unless you use voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking for translation input.

I "speak" with my written words though I don't actually vociferate them. However, I probably am "Above average" when it comes to expletives when I #%"! up a sentence I am translating.

Anyway, I answered "I have no idea" since there is absolutely no way I could ever possibly know this.
Collapse


 
Miranda Drew
Miranda Drew  Identity Verified
Itália
Local time: 17:40
Membro (2009)
italiano para inglês
depends on the country Jan 19, 2013

I think that the Italians speak about 10 times as much per day as Americans

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 16:40
Membro (2007)
inglês para português
+ ...
I haven't the faintest idea! Jan 19, 2013

As I live alone, I probably talk less than the average person though I am known to talk to myself and to my translations...

 
neilmac
neilmac
Espanha
Local time: 17:40
espanhol para inglês
+ ...
Me too Jan 19, 2013

Teresa Borges wrote:

As I live alone, I probably talk less than the average person though I am known to talk to myself and to my translations...


I mostly talk to my animals, unless you count shouting abuse at politicians on the TV news, or the occasional quiz show contestant.

Anyway, who's counting? "Empty vessels make the most noise"...


 
Dave Bindon
Dave Bindon  Identity Verified
Grécia
Local time: 18:40
grego para inglês
In memoriam
Way below average Jan 19, 2013

Usually "Good afternoon! How are you?", "Thanks" and "Goodbye" at the kiosk when I buy cigarettes in the afternoon, followed by "Good afternoon!", "No" (answering 'do you have a store card?') and "Good evening" at the supermarket. In Greek that's nine words a day.

Even if I go to the local bar, I doubt I go above a couple of thousand words. I've always been a listener more than a talker.


 
jacana54 (X)
jacana54 (X)  Identity Verified
Uruguai
inglês para espanhol
+ ...
Don't know about myself Jan 19, 2013

However, I'm sure that my daughters are way above average!



 
Chun Un
Chun Un  Identity Verified
Macau
Membro (2007)
inglês para chinês
+ ...
Below average unless Jan 19, 2013

there's an interpreting assignment on that day... Otherwise I am only talkative when with the right person (people).

 
Suzan Hamer
Suzan Hamer  Identity Verified
Holanda
Local time: 17:40
inglês
+ ...
This may not tell you how many words you speak a day, Jan 19, 2013

but you can measure how many words you know:

http://testyourvocab.com/

[Edited at 2013-01-19 11:31 GMT]


 
Paul Dixon
Paul Dixon  Identity Verified
Brasil
Local time: 12:40
português para inglês
+ ...
Question Jan 19, 2013

Do you mean 16,000 words or 16,000 different words?
If 16,000 words, I'm below average as I spend most of my time at the computer (I'm talking about spoken words here). If 16,000 different words, then I assume only Shakespeare would have had such a wide vocabulary.


 
Tatty
Tatty  Identity Verified
Local time: 17:40
espanhol para inglês
+ ...
Definately below Jan 19, 2013

It's a sad lonely life isn't it... On a daily basis I only really get to speak to my husband. Very short conversations with agents maybe, but usually we communicate by e-mail. I find that it is important to keep up your speaking skills in whatever language you use, even if you live in your own country. Otherwise you can become somewhat withdrawn, which isn't good.

 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 11:40
inglês para espanhol
+ ...
What study? Jan 19, 2013

Two problems with this poll:

1) Who posted it? I am against anonymity in forums.
2) Who did the study and for what?

The statement that the 'average' person speaks 16,000 words a day seems preposterous and unsubstantiated.

Someone is too bored or dumb to come up with a poll like this.


 
Steven Capsuto
Steven Capsuto  Identity Verified
Estados Unidos
Local time: 11:40
Membro (2004)
espanhol para inglês
+ ...
Way below Jan 19, 2013

Most of my communication during the work day is by e-mail. I might have a cursory conversation with a cashier at lunchtime, but that's about it.

Most of my talking happens outside work hours, which means I'm going to be well below the average.


 
Tatty
Tatty  Identity Verified
Local time: 17:40
espanhol para inglês
+ ...
Uncited source Jan 19, 2013

While the pollster has not identified the study in question, this study is well known at least in the UK, I would say. A few years ago, it was discussed in newspapers, magazines and on the TV and I've heard lots of people quote this figure in conversation.

 
Páginas no tópico:   [1 2] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderador(es) deste fórum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: A study reported that the average person speaks 16,000 words a day; in your opinion, you are:






Trados Business Manager Lite
Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio

Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »